@ green Xtra 08 September-October , 2021
INSIGHT
• INTERNATIONAL HYDROPOWER ASSOCIATION
Sarawak Energy Group CEO re-elected to IHA Board
Recognition of utility company ’ s efforts and commitment to sustainable hydropower development
SARAWAK ENERGY ’ S Group Chief Executive Officer Datu Sharbini Suhaili has been re-elected to the International Hydropower Association ( IHA ) board .
Representing Asia , East and Pacific , Sharbini is among 18 hydropower leaders from six regions - Africa , Central & North America , South America , Europe , Central & South Asia and East & Pacific Asia - who form the new board on a twoyear mandate beginning October 2021 .
The board will guide IHA ’ s work and priorities in the clean energy transition . Board members from the East & Pacific Asia region include Malcolm Turnbull , the former Prime Minister of Australia .
Sharbini has been serving on the IHA Board since 2017 after he took over as the Group CEO of Sarawak Energy , the State ’ s primary energy developer and utility provider . In 2019 , he was re-elected to continue advancing sustainable hydropower in Malaysia and Southeast Asia .
The re-election is a reaffirmation of Sarawak Energy ’ s standing amongst established global hydropower players .
“ This is a recognition of Sarawak Energy ’ s efforts and a strong commitment to sustainable hydropower
development in meeting Sarawak and the region ’ s need for affordable , reliable and renewable energy while progressing the United Nations Sustainability Development Goals ( UNSDGs ) for a sustainable energy future ,” Sharbini commented .
Under Sharbini ’ s leadership , Sarawak Energy has advocated for large hydropower to be recognised as part of Malaysia ’ s renewable energy mix . This was realised earlier this year when the federal government included large hydropower as part of the renewable energy definition for Malaysia .
Malaysia ’ s largest renewable energy
Sarawak Energy is now Malaysia ’ s largest renewable energy developer and provider .
“ Since becoming a member of the IHA in 2010 , we have been advocating for sustainable hydropower by showcasing its benefits through our active communication campaigns , in conferences and talks regionally and internationally .
“ This re-election is a testament to Sarawak Energy ’ s valued contribution and the importance of our voice on sustainable hydropower development worldwide despite being relatively a smaller organisation from the island of Borneo compared with the other hydropower development companies in the IHA . It goes to show that our brand value is visible and increasingly respected ,” he said .
Sarawak Energy is one of the early adopters of the guidelines in IHA ’ s Hydropower Sustainability Assessment Protocol ( HSAP ) to drive responsible development and operation of its hydropower portfolio .
The renewable energy developer
is currently adopting the HSAP for its largest hydropower project to date , the ongoing 1,285MW Baleh Hydroelectric Project , to embed sustainability best practices into the project ’ s development and operation .
Sharbini added : “ It is indeed an honour and privilege to be on the Board of the IHA . Sarawak Energy looks forward to partnering IHA in helping combat climate change by advancing the role of hydropower as a significant contributor to renewable energy targets .”
IHA is the world ’ s most extensive and active hydropower network and was created under the United Nations Educational , Scientific and Cultural Organisation ( UNESCO ) in 1995 as the voice of sustainable hydropower .
Members of the IHA are active in more than 100 countries and include organisations engaged as hydropower owners and operators , developers , designers , suppliers and consultants .
Sharbini was also one of the speakers at the high-level opening plenary of the 2021 World Hydropower Congress ( WHC ), alongside Carlos Alvarado Quesada ( President of Costa Rica ), Executive Director for International Energy Agency , Dr Fatih Birol , Helen Clark ( Former Prime Minister of New Zealand ) and Roger Gill ( President for IHA ), among other leaders .
The WHC is a biennial forum organised by the IHA , bringing together industry , governments , international organisations , financial institutions and civil society representatives to set the course for sustainable hydropower development .
This year ’ s WHC themed ‘ Renewables Working Together ’ took place on Sept 7-24 . — @ greenXtra
ACCELERATING ENERGY transitions on a path to climate safety can grow the world ’ s economy by 2.4 per cent over the expected growth of current plans within the next decade , a new analysis from the International Renewable Energy Agency ( IRENA ) shows .
The Agency ’ s 1.5 ° C pathway foresees the creation of up to 122 million energy-related jobs in 2050 , more than double today ’ s 58 million . Renewable energy alone will account for more than a third of all energy jobs employing 43 million people globally , supporting the post-COVID recovery and long-term economic growth .
IRENA sees renewables-based based energy systems instigating profound changes that will reverberate across economies and societies . Quick adjustments in capital flows and a reorientation of investments are necessary to align energy with a positive economic and environmental trajectory .
Forward-looking policies can accelerate the transition , mitigate uncertainties , and ensure maximum benefits of the energy transition . The annual investment of US $ 4.4 trillion needed on average is high . But it is feasible and equals around five per
IRENA ’ s narrative for nett-zero world
Francesco La Camera
cent of global GDP in 2019 .
“ The World Energy Translation Outlook represents a concrete , practical toolbox to the total reorientation of the global energy system and writes a new and positive energy narrative as the sector undergoes a dynamic transition ,” said Francesco La Camera , IRENA ’ s Director-General .
“ There is consensus that an energy transition grounded in renewables and efficient technologies is the only way to give us a fighting chance of limiting global warming by 2050 to 1.5 ° C . As the only realistic option for a climate-safe world , IRENA ’ s vision has become mainstream .
“ Energy transformation will drive economic change . The energy transition is a daunting task but can bring unprecedented new possibilities to revitalise economies and lift people from poverty .
Unique value
“ IRENA ’ s Outlook brings unique value as it also outlines the policy frameworks and financing structures necessary to advance a transition that is just and inclusive .
“ Each country will define what the best for them is , but collectively , we must ensure that all countries and regions can realise the benefits of the global energy transition for a resilient and more equitable world . We have the know-how , we have the tools , we need to act and do so now .
“ The next decade will be decisive to achieve the Paris and Sustainable Developments goals . Any delay will drive us in the direction of further warming , with profound and irreversible economic and humanitarian consequences .”
Phasing out coal , limiting investments in oil and gas to facilitate a swift decline and a managed transition , and embracing technology , policy and market solutions will put the global energy system on track for a 1.5 ° C pathway .
By 2050 , a total of US $ 33 trillion of additional investment are required into efficiency , renewables , end-use electrification , power grids , flexibility , hydrogen and innovations . The benefits , however , greatly exceed the costs of investments .
When air pollution , human health and climate change externalities are factored in , the payback is even higher with every dollar spent on the energy transition adding benefits valued at between US $ 2-5.5 , in cumulative terms between US $ 61- 164 trillion by the mid-century .
IRENA ’ s Outlook sees energy transition as a significant business opportunity for multiple stakeholders , including the private sector ,